Simple Doritos Taco Salad (Printable version)
Crunchy Tex-Mex salad with seasoned beef, cheddar, black beans, corn, and crushed Doritos.
# What you'll need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 pound ground beef
→ Seasonings
02 - 1 packet taco seasoning (about 1 ounce)
03 - 1/4 cup water
→ Vegetables
04 - 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
05 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - 1/2 cup red onion, diced
07 - 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
08 - 1 cup canned corn, drained
→ Cheese
09 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
→ Chips
10 - 2 cups Nacho Cheese Doritos, slightly crushed
→ Dressing
11 - 1/2 cup ranch dressing or Catalina dressing
# Directions:
01 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon, until well browned. Drain any excess fat.
02 - Stir in taco seasoning and 1/4 cup water. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture has thickened. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
03 - In a large salad bowl, combine chopped romaine lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, diced red onion, drained black beans, canned corn, and shredded cheddar cheese.
04 - Add the slightly cooled seasoned beef to the salad mixture.
05 - Just before serving, stir in crushed Doritos and your preferred dressing. Toss gently until ingredients are evenly distributed.
06 - Serve immediately while the chips remain crispy.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Every bite is a mix of bold, familiar flavors with a playful crunch, the kind of secret guilty pleasure you can’t help admitting to close friends.
- It transforms everyday ingredients into a meal that somehow feels festive, whether it’s eaten on a weeknight or as a last-minute party dish.
02 -
- If you add the Doritos too early, they’ll go soggy fast and lose their magic crunch—add them only when you’re truly ready to serve.
- Letting the beef cool for a few minutes saves your lettuce from going limp, a small trick that changes everything.
03 -
- Layer the beef and cheese before tossing in the chips for even coverage; it’s a small hack that makes a big difference.
- A quick squeeze of lime just before serving brightens up the whole bowl and takes the flavor from good to crave-worthy.